Show Mode & Recovery Mode
As performers we are constantly in action - so much is required of us. From remembering choreography, working well with our peers, being on our feet all day, and pushing our stamina, flexibility, and athleticism to the max.
It's a job I love like no other, but it comes with its hardships like no other. It's so important that we take care of ourselves on and off the dance floor. I'll always say that my co-workers keep me going, but I'd be remiss if I also didn't mention the following recovery techniques that most of us keep in our back pocket.
1. Rolling out/massage therapy: our muscles grow tense and are put through the ringer from day to day. Using foam rollers, lacrosse balls, and getting regular massages are a must for loosening tension and alleviating pain.
2. Hot/Cold therapy: We dancers usually heat to prepare our muscles and ice at the end of the day to reduce swelling. I've done sauna and cold plunges on the weekends, too, as extra hot/cold remedy. It releases muscle tension SO well.
3. HYDRATE: I think every single one of us on the company has at least 2 or 3 refills of our water each day. In addition, each of us have our favorite form of electrolyte that we mix with our water.
4. Stretch: There's nothing like the feeling of a good low-effort release stretch. When I get home at night, I love laying down to my favorite TV show and just stretching my low back and/or hamstrings.
5. Mental reset: Dance is as much mental as it is physical. Enjoying time away from the dance studio alone, with friends, or with family is one of my favorite ways to rejuvenate and relax so I'm fresh when I return to rehearsal.
Guest Teachers Galore!
The life of a Dance Company Member is quite different than others in a multitude of ways. One of my favorite ways is that we actually have to "warm-up" for our job. It's a quintessential part of our day - a 75-minute dance class that gets our blood pumping, muscles warm and active, and flexibility on.
In seasons' past we've had incredible line ups of guest teachers, including the wonderful Patti Eylar, Tracey Franklin, Craig Black, and so many more!
The most exciting part of Season 9's warmup classes, in my opinion, is that every Tuesday we now have a rotating guest instructor! Each week someone new enters the space to give us warm-up class and I think it allows us to learn from as many perspectives as possible, broaden our training, and meet more of the community!
A couple of highlights from this season include:
Class with Homer Bryant. Homer is an essential part of Chicago Dance and he teaches an incredibly challenging Floor Barre class. We lay down and focus on ballet technique foundational skills at a granular level. It's SO humbling and the push for technique we need.
Countertechnique classes with our own Faith von Atzigen! Faith was recently certified as a Countertechnique instructor and her amazing class allows us to approach movement in a visual and abstract way. I've been thinking about my body and movement so differently since we've had class together.
Contemporary with Kara Brody. Kara's Contemporary is release based. It's a gorgeous compliment to all of our athletic repertoire we have - her class reminds me when to breathe, save my energy, and rely on my body's momentum and natural patterns.
MORE TO COME! Throughout the season we have more guest teachers arriving in the space and I'm so thrilled to learn from more of them. It makes our day feel sort of like a dance intensive where you are soaking up information from all different instructors! Super informative and I'm so grateful to SCDT for providing us with so many avenues of training.
Chicago LIVE! 2025
It's become somewhat of an annual tradition for us now - Chicago LIVE! at Navy Pier! Each September SCDT looks forward to a 20-minute performance slot alongside all the talented dance companies in the Chicago Dance Community. It's a full day of dance and community as we watch, support, and perform at this yearly event!
At the very end of Navy Pier, tourists, fans, family and friends - anyone who is willing to pause and watch dance - has a free ticket to see Chicago's dancers! We've been participating for the past five years in this event and it's always so wonderful to see friends from the community show up and cheer us on.
This particular year, we performed "On a Lark" by Stephanie Martinez as well as "Soul Power" by Monique Haley. Both are energizing and entertaining routines, sure to make a tourist stop and get excited about the arts!
I truly believe that is the coolest thing about this event. Often times, performances can be pricey and not as reachable to all audiences. If you can get yourself to Navy Pier, you can have a full day of viewing professional dance for free. It's events like these that bring the joy of sharing dance with others. For someone walking by, it could be their first time ever seeing concert dance - how special is that that we can share our passion with them when they were least expecting it?
Chicago LIVE! is not only one of the most community-centered events of our year, but it is also our favorite opportunity as a Company to hang out afterwards! It's our yearly tradition to find a spot for food after the show that us dancers can bond with each other and with family or friends that came to the show as well! It's our "hard-launch" into a fantastic season.
Governor's State Preview
One of our first full Repertoire shows of the year is almost HERE! Join us on Saturday, September 27 at 7:30pm at Governor's State University for an evening you're sure to love!
We still have two weeks to go until the show, but I thought I'd give you the "sneak peek" of the pieces we plan to perform. Some are recent, some are old favorites, but it's sure to make a jam-packed show that, of course, you don't want to miss!
ON A LARK by Stephanie Martinez
If you haven't seen this upbeat, fan-favorite, we are bringing it back! Exploring themes of everyday monotony in the show-business lifestyle and investigating whether it's all as "glamorous" as it seems, Martinez's work captures audience's attention with it's familiar soundtrack and humorous choreography. It's one of my all-time favorites to perform because of the characters attached to it.
SOUL POWER by Monique Haley
This athletic and West-African rooted jazz piece is so signature to our repertoire. It showcases each dancer individually while featuring a couple dynamic group sections that highlight the energy and power behind South Chicago Dance Theatre.
UNDER THE SKIN by Tsai Hsi Hung
One of our most repeated rep routines because of the agility, athleticism, and overall wow-factor. This piece is INSANE for lack of a better word. How each dancer connects through movement at such a fast-paced rate is crazy and sure to be a joy to watch.
IN/WITHIN by Kia S. Smith
Only premiering just earlier this year, this is our half-evening length work rooted in surrealism. Our founder and Director of Vision and Strategy choreographed this piece including set design, props, quirky music and movement, spoken word, and tons of character. It stands alone in the second act and creates a world for audience's to get lost in.
AAAAAND....that's our show! It's a big one and we can't wait to put it all out on the GSU stage! See you September 27!!
The Holidays Arrive Early!
I'm so excited to enlighten you all on the couple of performances we have in September - but FIRST, we have a brand new and SUPER exciting announcement and project we've been working on...
THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!
Okay, maybe not actually, but in the four walls of our studio that we rehearse at, it's full of Holiday cheer already! For the first time in our nine seasons of existence, we are premiering a Holiday Show titled "Lamentations of Peace". If you go to check out tickets on the Dance Center at Colombia College's event page, we are already up and running!
What a joy it is to have something so wonderful in store for our audience! Sure, it's strange to be listening to Holiday music at the top of September already, but I know what an amazing treat it will be for our audience to be entertained by this evening-length performance.
Often times in dance, we perform to educate or to make a bold statement. One of my favorite reasons for presenting dance, though, is for pure entertainment! It's truly what connects the art world with everyday people. People feel welcomed into the entertaining world of music and dance and may sprout a new and unknown interest for the art form simply because they felt entertained by it.
Have you ever watched a Superbowl Halftime show and been in awe of the dancers? Or maybe been to a concert and surprised by the stamina and skill of the back-up performers? That right there is entertainment and opened a window to a beautiful world of art.
It is my hope that "Lamentations for Peace" brings together an audience full of Holiday joy that becomes interested in our work and devotion to dance. It's a family friendly show and one that is sure to leave you in the Holiday Spirit!
Don't worry, it's still 3 months away, but I'm already feeling the Holiday Joy and couldn't wait to share it with you! More updates to come and a Merry September to you all!!
Dance For Life 2025
What a night to remember!
South Chicago Dance Theatre had the privilege of gracing the stage for Chicago Dancer Health Fund's annual event - Dance for Life. If you've never attended Dance for Life (DFL) it is the most wonderful way to support an amazing cause while also experiencing a taste of all different Chicago Dance Companies.
Each year, Chicago Dancer Health Fund puts on this event to raise money for dancers in need of medical attention and financial help. Many dancers on our company have utilized this funding to help with procedures and/or physical therapy. The event includes a performance and an after party to help raise awareness and funds. This years' performance included 11 dances - ten Chicago dance companies alongside a beautiful finale choreographed by Johnathan Alsberry including upwards of 50+ Chicago dancers!
SCDT performed Frank Chavez's "Temporal Trance" for the entire community and it was so well received. This is our company's third time being a part of DFL. The energy of this night is unlike any other - you are sure to see everyone you could possibly imagine in the Chicago Dance Community as it is one of the biggest nights for dance.
A big thanks to Chicago Dance Health Fund as well as our Chicago Dance Family for embracing SCDT and allowing us to enjoy this moment on the Auditorium Theatre stage! What a wonderful way to kick off our 9th Season.
Welcome to Season 9!
photo by: Michelle Reid
HELLO SCDT FANS! It's hard to believe, but we have officially kicked off Season 9 of South Chicago Dance Theatre.
That marks SIX full seasons that I have danced as a Company Member with SCDT and SIX seasons of gracing your presence on the Blog!
I'm back again this year with more excitement, so many tours to chat about, exciting opportunities that we have, and of course giving you the low-down on all things dance and all things South Chicago Dance Theatre!
Just this week - beginning on August 4 - 16 members of SCDT joined in Hyde Park to start the season right! A full orientation day for staff, Emerging Artists, Associate Artists, and all Company Members was had followed by a picnic by the lake.
Per usual, we are so privileged to have such a great community and culture and happy to welcome 2 new dancers to the family - Tonei Silver and Maya Finman-Palmer.
We've already started rehearsing for a full first week and are looking forward to our first performance in Dance for Life at the Auditorium Theatre on August 16.
Here's to another incredible Season - stay tuned for all the excitement!
-Kelly Anderson
Last Tour of the Season!
It's such a bittersweet feeling when the Season comes to a close. Luckily, this year the Auditorium was not our final bow. On May 30, 2025 South Chicago Dance Theatre's Season 8 Company members took the stage at Red Rock Dance Festival in St. George, Utah.
This repertoire concert was performed for a large group of festival attendees, local dancers, St. George Dance Company, and any local dance fans! The show opened with three pieces from St. George Dance Company and was followed by five repertoire pieces from us!
Fan-favorites from past and present were performed. Including: "Under the Skin" by Tsai Hsi Hung, "In Lieu of Flowers" by Kia S. Smith, "On a Lark" by Stephanie Martinez, "FOLK" by Kate Weare, and "an opening" by Terence Marling.
Post-show, us dancers engaged in a Q&A session that anyone interested was welcome to stay for. We were overwhelmed by the support and love we felt from the audience. One little girl, not more than 10-years old, even told us that watching us made her realize she wanted to do what we do and dance onstage as a professional. It's moments like that that truly remind us why we do what we do.
For our final bow, we were so privileged to have performed on a beautiful stage in such a breath-taking city. Us nine company members have soaked up this experience as the dancers here are hungry for more, the scenery leaves us in awe, and the weather is the perfect kick-off to our summer break.
Until next season!!
XOXO,
Kelly Anderson
Home Season 8 - WE DID IT!
Somehow, the day has come and gone and our Home Season show for Season 8 at the Auditorium Theatre already happened this past Saturday!
What a success it was - it was a compilation of so many different repertoire pieces. It showed the variety of dancing and emotional performance of South Chicago Dance Theatre and I could not be more proud of the people I work with!
Saturday was such a full day - we came in early (like 9:30am type of early) to.walk through lighting cues and spacing for Kia's half-evening length work, we did technical rehearsals for our 3 other pieces, and then we warmed our bodies up for the big show and it was off and running at 7:30pm!
The show ran approximately two hours long and immediately after the curtain fell, the 18 of us dancers were celebrating, screaming, jumping, and full of happiness and relief!
Whenever a show is complete, of course we are sad it's over, but it's the BEST feeling to know it went well, the audience received it, and all of your hard work paid off!
My co-workers are some of the best people I know and I could not be more proud to be a part of such a talented ensemble of dancers.
If you came out to the show on May 3, THANK YOU! You are the reason we do what we do and we are always so thrilled to share our art with you!
UNTIL NEXT SEASON!
8 things I do to Prep for "Show Week"
As a dancer, show week is one of the most exhilarating and exciting things. The feel of moving into a theater, being backstage, putting on makeup, and rehearsing for the big performance is all part of the gig. It struck me awhile ago that most people don't even know what a "backstage" looks like. Most people only EVER view the stage from a chair in the audience. For a performer, and for myself, backstage just feels like home. The stage crew, the lights, the curtains, the "GOING DARK!" hollered from your stage manager...it's all part of our life and our routine that seems so second nature to us. In prepping for a show, it's so exciting to get to the stage, but it goes without saying that it's A TON of hard work. I love show week more than anything, but it does bring about nerves and anxious energy. Throughout the years, I've learned how I operate and what best helps ME to get myself ready for a show. In no particular order, and some pictured above, here are 8 things that help me as a performer get ready for the stage!
- Journaling! I love writing my thoughts about the day, rehearsals, notes I've gotten, etc. down on paper. It helps me clear my mind and stay focused leading up to the show!
- Working out. As we get closer to the performance, my workouts are less power-driven and stamina-focused, but rather more focused on mind-body connection so I can really hone in on my coordination and breath!
- Speaking of breath - I do a lot of breath work and meditation! It calms me down right before I go onstage.
- Engaging in my hobbies outside of dance - like reading, going for a walk, exploring Chicago! Keeping my mind active and cup full as I get closer to the show! It's a helpful reset and recover as rehearsals get more intense!
- GOOD SLEEP! I'm a person who needs a lot of sleep and I typically prefer 8 hours. The week of the show, I do everything I can to be in bed early and ready to snooze!
- Recovery practices - Epsom salt baths, massages, rolling my muscles out, stretching, drinking lots of water - it all helps to stabilize my aches, pains, and soreness before the performance!
- FRIENDS, FAMILY, GOOD PEOPLE! I cannot stress this enough - the people I surround myself with help me through it all! I have some of the most supportive co-workers, friends, family, etc! I need their energy to help me through!
- Rest! It's the Friday night before the show and I am in for the night, under a blanket, drinking hot tea and relaxing. We as dancers put ourselves through so much, we need to take care of our bodies and rest whenever we can take advantage of it!
Hope to.see you on May 3 at the Auditorium Theatre!! I'll be using the above 8 practices to keep me in line leading up to the best show!! the best show!!